I'm very much looking forward to seeing you all in March, but I'm here right now to ask your help with something that makes March a lot more entertaining and interesting for all of us -- programming suggestions.

The programming team has got some marvelous suggestions in their section for how to come up with ideas, and how open we are for ideas, so I'll direct you there, but I'll also say this:

Programming ideas and signups are a large part of what makes FOGcon FOGcon -- the way we can discuss what we want to, without having to rely on a very few people (with their own very specific ideas) to come up with most of the topics. I encourage you -- if there's ever been a panel you wanted to see, suggest it! That time you put down a book and looked around to see if anyone else had read it so you could talk about That Thing That Happened? That's a programming idea in the making.

One of the great joys I've had working on FOGcon since it started was reading the programming ideas as they came in, and seeing how creative we, as a community, are.

So -- let's get those ideas in!

Steven Schwartz, Con Chair

BUY YOUR MEMBERSHIP NOW!

November 18 is the last day to get your adult membership for only $60. The price rises to $70 on November 19.

WE NEED YOUR IDEAS!

Every year, we ask our members to share their ideas for what panels they would like to attend. That technique has brought us ideas that spurred fascinating discussions. And you can be part of this process.

FOGcon will be closing suggestions to programming at midnight of 12/01/2017, so please send us your suggestions. Have suggestions ready? Please submit your idea via the form at http://db.fogcon.org/idea/. Want to make a suggestion, but don't have any ideas? Don't be afraid to submit the seeds of ideas if you're not sure how to grow them yourself.

Think of the last extremely spirited discussion you had with other readers. The point of contention could be a great start to another spirited discussion between panelists!

Think of the last book* that blew you away. What was so amazing about it? Did it raise questions? Did it answer them? Did it leave you baffled and gibbering? Your enthusiasm could lead to a panel idea!

Think of the last book* that really disappointed you. Why was it such a let-down? Why did you expect better? How could it have been done better? Have other books* done better? Your anger and sadness could lead to a panel idea!

Think of issues you're wrestling with yourself--are there books* that handle these same struggles? Did you find them relevant to your situation, or were they unhelpful (or even downright disrespectful)? Your real-life issues could be the basis for a panel idea.

*Book(s): shorthand for "written stories," including comic books, of any length, really.

Elsabeth Hermens, Programming

GAMING NEEDS IDEAS, TOO
Help make FOGcon better! This year's theme of Performance in SF&F offers a universe of possibilities for conference programming, both as panel discussion topics and less traditional events and demonstrations. We're especially looking for ideas that tie in with gaming and performance. Submit your ideas now at db.fogcon.com. The window for suggestions closes at midnight of 12/01/2017, so hurry and submit your suggestions while you can.

Micah Joel, Game Room

HOTEL INFORMATION

Our hotel is once again the Walnut Creek Marriott. Our room rate is $109 per night (plus applicable taxes and such), and that rate is available from March 8th through the 12th. To make reservations, and guaranteed the Con rate, please follow this link:Book your room for FOGcon

John Kusters, Hotel Liaison

WRITING WORKSHOP

FOGcon invites our members to participate in our popular writing workshop, which pairs 3-5 participants with a pro author for a Clarion-style critique of manuscripts 7,500 words or less. Registration for our writing workshop will be open from Nov 15, 2017 through Jan 31, 2018. The fee is $20. If you are interested, please email us at workshop@fogcon.org any time after Nov 15, 2017. Places are limited, and we will close registrations when we fill up or after January 31, 2018, whichever happens first. Only registered members of FOGcon are permitted to attend the workshop.